As the weather is cooling it is time to prepare for the change to Winter uniforms. This will take place on Tuesday 9th June. This is the week starting after the June long weekend.

If you are unsure of items required for Winter, please visit our website where you can find information in our Parent Handbook or the St Agnes’ Uniform Store website via this link https://stagnesparish.org.au/st-agnes-uniform-store/ . The St Agnes' Uniform store has reopened with the revised hours of operation from 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Online ordering has also resumed with click and collect and delivery available.

'The Sunshine Cafe'

Our Canteen operates five days a week providing lunches, drinks and snacks. We follow a very high standard of hygiene and provide a variety of healthy foods. Our prices are kept at a reasonable level as a service to the students, but we do not compromise on quality. The Canteen operates each day at 11:00am for lunch with our menu being updated regularly throughout the year.

On behalf of the staff and students we would like to issue a special invitation to parents and family members to become a volunteer at the Canteen. Our Canteen Coordinator organises the food, the roster, and will be at the Canteen every morning to greet and help you. You will enjoy your time spent with us, your child will love to see you and the rest of us will really appreciate it also! Contact the school office if you would like to help.

There is an online Canteen ordering facility which can be accessed through the link below as well as through our school app (the link connects to the Flexischools website).

KINDERGARTEN 2020

It has been such an exciting week of welcoming our new Kindergarten students for 2020 to school. On Tuesday and Wednesday we held transition mornings where the children were able to meet Mrs McKinnon and Mrs Stapleton who will be teaching them next year. On Tuesday night we were pleased to be able to share what school will look like with the parents and carers of the students. Thank you so much to all of the parents and carers who were able to be part of this week of preparation. We can’t wait to share learning with you in 2020!

I would like to thank particularly Laura Bell from our P&F and Peta Rourke from Parent Assembly for joining us at orientations and the parent night for their contributions towards including our community in the school and Parish. Thank you also to the staff who prepare and share the transition opportunities with our new students; Mrs Sarah McKinnon, Mrs Laura Stapleton, Mrs Lyn Kelly, Mrs Anne Tutt, Mrs Jeannine Ucdereli, Mrs Ann Thurgate, Ms Robyn Fitzpatrick and Ms Briony Butt as well as our amazing Office Aunty Heather.

SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY

Our community of St Joseph’s and the wider community of the Hastings have experienced a distressing few weeks with bushfires and the associated outcomes. We know for some families there is still concern for their homes and livelihood, so as a Catholic community we offer prayers and service to anyone in need in a practical sense.

I thank you for your support in recent times in relation to the fire emergency and whilst the immediate fire threat has eased we still face possible months of smoke and air quality challenges. All decisions around managing these challenges will continue to be made in consultation with the RFS, NSW Health, the Catholic Schools Office and local Parish Schools. The school will not close unless directed to do so by the relevant authorities and classes will operate as normal.

Given the potential health risks of poor air quality, families of students with asthma, respiratory illness or heart conditions should be reminded to consider their current health condition, carry relieving medication with them and seek medical advice if they are unsure if they should attend school in the current conditions. St Joseph’s will be following the NSW Health advice to mitigate risks associated with poor air quality and smoke haze.

Above all, please continue to be safe and please contact me if there is anything you need that we can assist with. All conversations will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and care.

WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY

I am pleased to welcome and introduce Charlotte Pascua and her family to our community. Charlotte started with St Joseph's last week in 2 Gold.

P&F

At this time of year, we would like to thank the P&F for the work they have done throughout the year to build community and raise funds for the school through their events. There are still some wonderful things to finish our year on a high and we would love you to get involved. Please see the invitations for the P&F social night, AGM and Movie Night. There is still plenty of time to be part of the planning for 2020 and to enjoy the end of a great 2019.

APSMO MATHS OLYMPIAD AND ICAS

The Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO) provide opportunities for students to engage in creative problem solving experiences whilst developing logical and reasoning skills as well as how to be resourceful when solving more complex problems. The programs are unique in that they focus on students' ability to solve mathematical problems in a creative manner - as opposed to simply reaching a solution using a prescribed method.

Creative problem solving focuses on the real-world application of maths, encouraging children to think for themselves and explore a range of problem-solving options. By encouraging our students to think through a problem or challenge in a holistic manner, we are helping them to reach their full potential in relation to mathematical problem solving and, in essence, to make sense of mathematics.

The Maths Olympiad competitions main aim is to:

Introduce students to important mathematical concepts

Teach major strategies and develop flexibility for problem solving

Foster creativity and ingenuity and strengthen intuition

Stimulate enthusiasm and enjoyment of mathematics

Provide for the satisfaction, joy and thrill of meeting challenges

Each year 30 students are selected from Year 5 and 6 to participate in 5 monthly Maths Olympiad contests. I would like to congratulate all of our participants some challenges were extremely difficult. I would like to acknowledge the following students who all finished in the top 50% in Australia: Chazz Van Veen, Keanu Smeich, Hriday Thakrani, Erin Little and Milly McGrath.

I look forward to next year's challenges.

This week we also received the rest of our ICAS results. We congratulate all students who participated in the following assessments and in particular would like to mention:-

OUR WELCOME PRAYER FOR OUR NEW KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES

How wonderful it was to welcome our new Kindergarten families this week.

Loving God, You are the giver of all we possess, the source of all of our blessings.

We thank and praise you.

Thank you for the gift of our children.

May our school always encourage them to explore, grow and learn.

May our children come to know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

May your Holy Spirit help them to grow in faith, hope and love, so they may know peace, truth and goodness.

May their ears hear your voice.

May their eyes see your presence in all things.

May their lips proclaim your word.

May their hearts be your dwelling place.

May their hands do works of charity.

May their feet walk in the way of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord .

May our Saint Agnes’ Parish schools nurture them, support their growth, and be blessed with those that sincerely work with parents and children to meet all our children’s needs at the different times of their life.

We ask God’s blessing, for us and our children as they begin their new journey as part of the St Agnes’ Parish Schools at St Joseph’s Primary.

Amen

4 GREEN PRAYER BOOKS

On Wednesday, 4 Green shared their prayer books with Kindergarten. We want to share some with you. Kindergarten thought they were beautiful.

THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

This Sunday, 24th November we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King that recognises that Christ is King and Lord of the universe.

PARENT SUPPORT FOR SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Still calling for all enthusiastic parents for the swimming Carnival! Ms Hatherly would love your support in organising and coordinating this year's Primary Swimming Carnival before the 12th December. Please contact the office or Ms Hatherly if you would like to support in any way. You can also fill out the online form if you can help. (See link below)

If you haven't already completed the online permission for your child to participate in the swimming carnival, please do so by Wednesday 4th December.

YOUTH AND FAMILY MASS

PEER SUPPORT

Next week in Peer Support the children will learn how important it is to take small steps towards achieving a goal. The children will develop a range of strategies and different ways to think to help them stay optimistic. Ask your child to share their goal and discuss ways you can provide encouragement.

Next Tuesday, 26th November, our beautiful Glee Club will be singing at the Rotary Christmas Concert at Panthers Auditorium. The students in Glee can wear their white pants/shorts/skirt to school with a plain t-shirt and bring a Santa hat. They will leave school at 9.30am and the concert begins at 10:00am. Our students will perform early to return to school by 11:00am. Entry is $5 and can be purchased at the auditorium door at Panthers, all welcome. Thank you to our students and teachers for your practice and preparation for this community event.

The students of St Joseph's have been doing such a great job at responding to the expectations presented at our Monday morning assemblies. The staff reward our student successes and positive choices with an MJR cross and MJR tokens.

Students receive these crosses when they initiate consistent positive, respectful behaviours.

Students who receive 3 MJR crosses will earn themselves a reward coupon and a certificate.

These coupons can be 'cashed' in for an appropriate reward such as:

* Skip the canteen line for a week - straight to the front of the line!

An important event on the Kinder calendar is our Affirmation Celebration on Monday 9th December at 2.30pm in our Kindergarten classrooms. This is an opportunity to acknowledge how much the children have grown over the year and reflect on the year that has been. We warmly invite you to join with us on this special occasion.

WEAR A CHRISTMAS ACCESSORY FOR A GOLD COIN DONATION

Our Volunteers for Week 7 Term 4

Monday

You are welcome to join us

Tuesday

You are welcome to join us

Wednesday

Trish McKenzie

Thursday

Amanda Rojo

Friday

Robyn Hunt

We ask that if you are unable to attend on your rostered day it would be very much appreciated if you could organise your replacement and let me know. This would really assist me enormously. Thank you.

MOVIE UNDER THE STARS

We are excited to let you know the poll has closed and the votes have been counted! Your P&F and Screenwave are delighted to bring to you ... ‘Home Alone’ for our movie night under the stars here at Joey's on Wednesday 4th December.

LET’S GET SOCIAL - WE’D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE YEAR THAT’S BEEN

We kindly ask that you finalise your school accounts as soon as possible. It is an expectation that all school accounts will be paid in full by Week 8 of Term 4 (Friday 6th December), with the exception of 2020 Book Pack costs. Statements were emailed home this week. Please ring Aunty Antoinette in the school office to organise a payment plan if you are experiencing any financial difficulty.

Week 1 - Term 1 2020

Week 2 - Term 1 2020

Monday3rd February

Best Start - Kindergarten

Tuesday4th February

Best Start - Kindergarten

Wednesday 5th February

First day classes for Kindergarten students

Please note these dates can change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances and we will endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. Our school Google calendar can be accessed via this link for additional advanced dates -